Microbiology Flashcards
What is the predominant organism in a healthy vagina?
Lactobacillus spp.
What does a healthy vagina produce to suppress growth of other bacteria?
Lactic acid +/- Hydrogen peroxide
What factors predispose to a candida infection?
Recent antibiotics
High oestrogen levels
Poorly controlled diabetes
Immunocompromised
How does a candida infection present?
Intensely itchy white vaginal discharge
“Cottage cheese”
How is candida diagnosed?
Usually clinically (can high vaginal swab)
What is the treatment for a candida infection?
Topical clotrimazole (or oral fluclonazole)
What are clue cells indicative of?
Bacterial Vaginosis
What scoring system is used for BV?
Hay-Ison scoring system
What is the treatment forBV?
Oral metronidazole
How does prostatitis present?
Symptoms of UTI _ lower back/abdo/perineal/penile pain + tender prostate
What organisms tend to cause prostatitis?
Same as UTI (E. coli & othercoliforms,Enterococcus sp.)
How is prostatitis diagnosed?
MSSU for C & S +/- first pass urine for chlamydia/gonorrhoea tests
What is the commonest bacterial STI in the UK?
Chlamydia
Where can chlamydia infect?
Urethra Rectum Endocervix Throat Eyes
What are Chlaymidia Serovars A-C responsible for?
Trachoma (eye infection)
What are Chlamydia Serovars D-K responsible for?
Genital infection
What are Chlamydia Serovars L1-L3 responsible for?
Lymphoganuloma venereum
How does Chlamydia present in females?
Post coital bleeding
Lower abdo pain
Dyspareunia
Mucopurulent cervicitis
How does Chlamydia present in males?
Urethral discharge
Dysuria
Urethritis
Epidymo-orchitis
How is chlamydia treated?
Aithromycin (1g oral) if uncomplicated
Or doxycycline 100mg bd for 7 days
How is chlammydia diagnosed?
NAAT or PCR
Male = FPU + rectal + throat + eye swab
Female = HVS or VVS + rectal + throat + eye swabs
What are the complications of chlamydia?
PID Neonate transmission Tube damage Reiter's syndrome Adult conjuctivitis
What type of organism is gonorrhoea?
Gram negative diplococcus (“2 kidney beans facing each other”)
What is the incubation period of gonorrhoea?
2-5 days
How does gonorrhoea present in males?
Urethral discharge
Dysuria
How does gonorrhoea present in females?
Vaginal discharge
Dysuria
Pelvic pain
How is gonorrhoea diagnosed?
NAAT or PCR
How is gonorrhoea treated?
IM ceftriaxone + oral azithromycin
Do you test for cure in chlamydia or gonorrhoea?
Gonorrhoea
What are the complications of gonorrhoea?
Endometritis Bartholinitis Abscess Hydrosalphnx Infertility
What spirochaete organism causes syphillis?
Treponema pallidum
Does syphillis stain with gram stain?
Nope
How is syphillis diagnosed?
Dark ground microscopy (gold standad but not avails in Tayside)
Swab fro primary or secondarylesions for PCR
What is the primary lesion in syphillis called?
Chancre
How does the secondary stage of syphillis present?
“Snail-track” mouth ulcers
Generalised rash (palms + soles)
Generalised lymphadenopathy
Patchy alopecia
What test is used to screen for syphillis?
IgM & IgG ELISA
What onn-specific serological tests can be useful for monitoring syphilis response to treatment?
VDRL or RPR
How is syphillis treated?
Penicillin
What virus tends to cause genital warts?
HPV
Which serotypes of HPV are responsible for 90% of urogential warts?
6 & 11
How are genital warts treated?
Podophyllotoxin cream/lotion
Cryotherapy
Which types of HPV does the vacine immunise against?
- 16 & 18
What causes genital herpes?
HSV-1 & HSV-2
Which HSV is responsible for cold sores?
HSV-1
What is th incubation period of HSV?
3-6 days
Where does HSV replicate in genital herpes?
Epidermis & dermis
Where does HSV “hide” in a genital herpes infection?
Sacralrot ganglion
How is genital herpes diagnosed?
Swab of deroofed blister for PCR
How is genital herpes treated?
Aciclovir may be helpful if taken early enough Pain relief (topical lidocaine)
What is tricomonas vaginalis
Single celled protooal parasite
How does trichomonas vaginalis present?
Frothy yellow/green musty vaginal discharge & irritation
Urethritis in males
Strawberry cervix
How is trichomonas vaginalis diagnosed?
HVS for microscopy
How is trichomonas vaginalis treated?
Oral metronidazole
How long do pubic lice live in males & females?
Male = 22 days Females = 17 days
How are pubic lice treated?
Malathion lotion
